Erbb2 signaling and nerve regeneration

Abstract

Use of an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor for treatment or repair of nerves and/or nerve tissues is provided. The inhibitor includes an antibody, in particular, a monoclonal antibody, for example, Herceptin. A medicament for treatment or repair of nerves and/or nerve tissues can be formulated which includes an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor. A pharmaceutical kit may include a medicament having an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor and dosing instructions for administrating the medicament for treatment or repair of nerves and/or nerve tissues. Also provided are uses of an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor for increasing axon regeneration, preventing neuron or glial cell death, and/or stimulating Schwann cell proliferation in a nerve stump.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A medicament comprising an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor, wherein the medicament is for treatment or repair of nerves and/or nerve tissues. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The medicament of  claim 12 , wherein the inhibitor is an antibody to the ErbB2 receptor. 
     
     
         15 . The medicament of  claim 14 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         16 . The medicament of  claim 12 , wherein the inhibitor is Herceptin. 
     
     
         17 . A pharmaceutical kit comprising the medicament of  claim 12 , and dosing instructions for administrating the medicament. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating or repairing a nerve and/or nerve tissue, the method comprising administration of an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the inhibitor is an antibody to the ErbB2 receptor. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said monoclonal antibody is Herceptin. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein administration of the inhibitor comprises systemically administering the inhibitor to a mammal. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein exposing the nerve to the inhibitor comprises administering the inhibitor to the mammal before or after a surgical intervention for repairing said injury. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the nerve and/or nerve tissue is damaged as a result of acquired or congenital causes or the result of a physical injury. 
     
     
         28 . A method of accelerating axon regeneration; preventing neuron or glial cell death and/or degeneration; or increasing schwann cell proliferation, the method comprising exposing a nerve to an inhibitor of the ErbB2 receptor. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the inhibitor is an antibody to the ErbB2 receptor. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said monoclonal antibody is Herceptin. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein exposing the nerve to the inhibitor comprises systemically administering the inhibitor to a mammal. 
     
     
         34 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the treatment or repair comprises peripheral nerve regeneration in mammals after injuries. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the antibody further inhibits activation of a binding partner of the ErbB2 receptor. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the binding partner is EGFR.